When next replace your cell phone, to avoid confusion it might be a good idea to learn a few facts before you buy; additional services and features have transformed this very popular device. There is much misinformation out there, which needs to be looked at before buying a cellular phone; however, a little knowledge can make all the difference.

Battery life is always an issue and even though they last longer (and are smaller), they have much more to do, so always leaving your phone until it is almost drained of power can cause problems. There is nothing worse than finding out your cell phone battery is no longer holding a charge for very long as you seem to be recharging it constantly and you will probably need a new one.

The back light is the second biggest power drain of any cell phone battery but this can be either turned off or use the auto back light off function if your phone is supplied with one. Actually talking on the phone uses the most power when it is being operated as it is being used as a transmitter so reduce the length of calls and turn it off if you find yourself in an area with poor reception as the cell phone battery will drain itself trying to find a signal. The more you talk, the quicker the battery will drain; this is also true for times your cell phone is connected to the Internet, downloading games or playing music for example.

You will often find that wallpapers, ring tones and images that are downloaded automatically will have a charge even though this is not mentioned at the start so be aware. If you purchase one for your child, find out if you can block these features or find out if there's a way that you as a parent can order features, but your child cannot.

When buying a cell phone with a one or two year contract or pay-per use agreement, be sure to read the fine print and consider how many minutes you plan to use each month. Weigh the prices of both types of agreements before signing on the dotted line because if you plan to use your phone regularly, then a long-term contract might be worth it. Some features like tri-band or quad-band means they can be used in Europe and Asia but these may only be available with phones that are part of a long term agreement so look out for deals that will be of benefit to you.

It is always a good idea once you are happy that your plan supplies everything you need so check the small print in case there are any further costs not immediately apparent that will be payable once you have signed on the dotted line. Steer clear of a contract that does not supply the phone with an insurance warranty as you could be liable for any costs if it were stolen or inadvertently damaged.

You also want to make sure that the parts and accessories are easily obtained from any regular cell phone store, even if you purchase the phone from an Internet based company.